By Sunday Ani
The iFatoss University, Benin Republic, has commended moves by the Federal Government and the Ministry of Education to investigate allegations of certificate racketeering, involving the universities in Benin and Togo republics.
The university also called for fair evaluation and accreditation of degrees obtained from Benin and Togo republics, even as it harped on the need to distinguish reputable institutions from those engaged in fraudulent practices.
This was contained in a statement by the university’s Registrar, Eze Joshua Chidiebere.
He recalled recent reports that highlighted the prevalence of certificate racketeering in Nigeria, with some individuals obtaining fake degrees from various institutions, describing it as an unethical practice that undermines not only the credibility of education, but also poses a significant threat to the country’s workforce and overall development.
The Nigerian government has taken steps to investigate universities involved in certificate fraud, with a view to ensuring degrees obtained from the institutions are not recognised.
“iFatoss University Benin Republic (IFA-TOSSI), a reputable institution committed to providing quality education, stands firmly behind the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Ministry of Education in their efforts to investigate and address the issue of certificate racketeering. The university recognises the importance of maintaining the integrity of academic qualifications and ensuring individuals possess the necessary skills and knowledge in their respective fields.
“While supporting the investigation, iFatoss University, Benin Republic (IFA-TOSSI) also advocates a fair evaluation and accreditation process for degrees obtained from Benin and Togo republics. It is crucial to differentiate between institutions that uphold academic standards and those that engage in fraudulent practices. A blanket rejection of degrees from these countries would be unfair to the genuine institutions that provide quality education.
“The university suggests a comprehensive evaluation mechanism be established to assess the credibility and quality of degrees awarded by institutions in Benin and Togo republics. This evaluation should consider factors such as curriculum, faculty qualifications, infrastructure, and adherence to academic standards.
By implementing a fair evaluation process, reputable institutions can be identified and deserving graduates can be recognised for their legitimate qualifications.
“iFatoss University, Benin Republic encourages collaboration between Nigerian regulatory bodies, such as the National Universities Commission (NUC), and their counterparts in Benin and Togo republics to establish a transparent and effective evaluation system. This collaboration should involve sharing information, conducting joint inspections where necessary and establishing clear guidelines for accreditation,” Chidiebere said in the statement.